99 Monday 18 September 1815
The weather since we reached the China Sea has been extremely oppressive and when the rain which has been frequent, confined us to the cabin we have been not a little uncomfortable. This day those evils have not been so heavy the light breeze constantly favours and the night has been pleasant beyond what has been usual lately.
We passed a Box cov[ered] and lashed but the Cap[tain] did not think it worth stopping for. We have had birds on board and among them one said to belong to China this indicates our nearness thereto.
Lat. Obs. 19.31 N, Long. 114.50 East
100 Tuesday 19 September 1815
We have a constant succession of showers and wind which has shifted to every point of the compass so light that until evening we scarcely made any progress. At dark it cleared away and gentle fair wind sprung up. About one o'clock PM passed a large sail which we supposed a China junc [junk]. At day break an English ship and several China boats in sight. A Pilot came on board ____ wishing to have the enormous sum of one hundred dollars for taking us into Macao the land too in sight we would not employ but as we see a number of boats we have no fear of wanting one
[No observations given]
[Margin Entry] The End of the passage. The Lima Islands in sight and a Pilot having been aboard but not paid.
101 Wednesday 20 September 1815
At the closing of yesterday we were very near the land and we approached the passage between the A____ Ears and one of the Lemar. A Pilot agreed to take the brig to Macao for thirty dollars which considering the short distance and the little risk is more than sufficient tho they attempt to impose on those whom they find anxious to employ them. The night was so calm that we scarcely changed our position but a breeze springing up in the morning. We got in and anchored between 7 & 8 AM about 2 to 3 miles from Macao. The Islands are here very numerous but as they are all steep to any one who knows his latitude may enter boldly without the least danger.
The Cap[tain], passengers and part of the crew lately saved were prepared in the best style possible and went on shore immediately. Captain Davey and myself now having the use of our cabin dressed ourselves and went to Macao to procure a Chop & Pilot for Whampoa where having made the necessary arrangements and deposited Sixty Spanish Dollars being the cost thereof, we took a view of the town, dined at an En[glish] Hotel with some officers and in the evening returned on board it blowing fresh from NE.
On the day following the pilot not being on board at eleven tho he had promised early in the morning our impatience to reach Canton induced us to revisit Macao in search of him tho the brig had been hauled off and now lay at least 8 to 10 miles from the town. As soon As we reached the shore we learned that the object we sought had departed an hour before. So having dispatched what other business we had to do the boat set off for the brig almost immediately that the tide might not be lost. About dark we were almost within hale but the tide was now running low with great
[next two lines unreadable]
. . . exertions to gain a single inch no _____ being left us but to [return] again [to] the shore. The wind blowing hard the swells breaking over us and the heavens putting on a threatening aspect by the assistance of a light which was hoisted on board the brig. After incredible labour and nearly drowned we reached Macao between 9 & 10 [PM] where we lodged for the night at the tavern before mentioned kept by Mr. Budwell. In the morning the wind still being fresh we engaged a native boat and about eleven [AM] joined the brig.
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. . . as the mouth of the Bocca Figric .
[The date entry of Thursday 21 is not recorded, perhaps indicated in the unreadable narrative previously given]
Friday [September 22] our labour was resumed and continued that day and night and about day break [Saturday 23] we moored at Whampoa near French Island.
[No Date entry for Sunday 24]
On Monday 25 September the Capt[ain] and myself proceeded to Canton in the small boat when on arrival our letters being delivered without procuring an offer of accommodations we took lodgings at Mr. Mager's until the necessary arrangements could be attained.
[The rest of the page is a listing of numbers their purpose unknown]
[No date Entries from Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 December]
